Famous 12 Alabama Quarterbacks Who Got Drafted

Bryce Young, the Carolina Panthers’ shining rookie QB, was drafted No. 1 overall in 2023. His Alabama Crimson Tide journey was nothing short of phenomenal.

He quickly rose through the Alabama ranks, becoming the starting quarterback in 2021. That year, he won the Heisman Trophy, the first Crimson Tide QB to do so in the common era. He also received the coveted All-American and AP CFB PoY honors.

He dazzled the fans with his accuracy and leadership, setting the school record for most passing yards in a single game (559) and guiding Alabama to the SEC Championship.

While Young’s NFL debut season fell short, the 22-year-old still has a long road to go.

Tua Tagovailoa, the slinging sensation from Hawaii, took the CFB world by storm during his time at Alabama. He garnered 7442 passing yards and 87 TDs during his 3-year CFB career. He also won the National Championship in his freshman year.

The left-handed QB boasted a 22-2 record as a starter, leaving an indelible mark on Alabama’s storied program. He also set the school and NCAAF record for career passer efficiency rating (199.4).

Due to his brilliant performances,  the Miami Dolphins scooped him up at No. 5 overall, making him the first left-handed QB drafted by the team since Tim Tebow in 2010.

A Dual-threat maestro, Jalen Hurts revolutionized the quarterback position, showcasing the effectiveness of a balanced passing and rushing attack. He amassed over 9,000 passing yards and 3,200 rushing yards in his Crimson Tide career.

Hurts led Alabama to two College Football Playoff appearances and won the National Championship title in 2018.

Despite his success, Hurts faced questions about his passing ability and fell to the second round (53rd overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2020 draft.

Hurts has showcased great talent and dedication for the Eagles, becoming a starter in 2021 and racking up 11,709 passing yards and 67 TDs. He led the Eagles to the Super Bowl LVII appearance.

Mac Jones etched his legacy in Alabama Crimson Tide history before taking the NFL by storm. Jones spent three seasons at Alabama, culminating in a remarkable 2020 campaign.

Jones shattered NCAA records with an impressive 203.1 passer rating and a 77.4% completion percentage, leading the Tide to a national championship victory. His accuracy and poise in coach Nick Saban’s pro-style system made him a coveted prospect for NFL teams.

Entering the 2021 NFL Draft, Jones was projected as a top-five pick, with many expecting him to land with the San Francisco 49ers. However, the New England Patriots snagged him at 15th overall.

From leading the team to a national championship to carving out a successful NFL career, Jeff Rutledge’s story is one of resilience and unexpected glory.

His leadership steered the Crimson Tide to a thrilling 1978 Sugar Bowl victory over Ohio State.

The QB racked up more than 3300 passing yards and found end zones 30 times over his four-year collegiate tenure. He also rushed for 546 yards, displaying his scrambling skills.

Despite his collegiate success, NFL teams overlooked his talent, relegating him to the 9th round of the 1979 draft. The Los Angeles Rams took a chance, and he became a backup player.

AJ McCarron led the team to two national championships, received the prestigious Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and a second-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting in 2013.

His leadership, accuracy, and clutch performances under pressure became memorable. He accumulated over 9000 passing yards in his 4-year journey, etching his legacy as one of the Tide’s most successful QBs.

Despite his collegiate success, McCarron’s NFL journey wasn’t as smooth. Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014 as the fifth-rounder, he spent most of his NFL career as a backup, seeing limited playing time behind Andy Dalton.

Greg McElroy’s name is etched in Alabama football history. As the Crimson Tide’s quarterback from 2007 to 2010, he capped up his career with a glorious 2010 season.

Under his direction, Alabama defeated Texas in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game, bringing a title back to Tuscaloosa after 17 years.

In 2009, McElroy stepped in for the injured AJ McCarron. His calm leadership and clutch throw secured the conference title, and he received the coveted MVP honors too.

Although his collegiate success was grand, concerns about his arm strength led to a 7th-round selection by the New York Jets in 2011. McElroy only spent one year in the NFL.

Ken Stabler, the “Snake,” slithered onto the Alabama scene in 1965, not as a serpent, but as an underdog. While overlooked by national powers, he led the Crimson Tide to upset victories and two SEC championships.

His gunslinger style – weaving magic with passes and scrambles – earned him All-America and SEC selections. He accumulated 2196 passing yards and 18 TD passes.

However, the 1968 NFL Draft saw Snake slither down to the second round, and eventually picked by the Oakland Raiders.

After honing his skills as Daryle Lamonica’s backup, he took the reins in 1973 and led the Raiders to 1974’s AFC Championship.

Joe Namath, the iconic gunslinger, left his mark not only on the New York Jets but also on his alma mater, the University of Alabama. Namath led the Crimson Tide with his swagger and pinpoint accuracy from 1962 to 1964.

He threw for over 2,700 yards and had 24 TD passes in his three seasons. Under coach Bear Bryant, Namath guided the team to the Orange Bowl in the 1964 season.

Namath’s draft day in 1965 was as epic as his throws. Both the NFL and the rival AFL coveted him, leading to a bidding war that saw him land a then-unheard-of $400,000 contract with the New York Jets. The rest, as they say, is history.

Bart Starr, the QB who led the Green Bay Packers to five NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls, began his journey not in frozen Wisconsin, but under the sunny skies of Alabama.

Starr arrived in Tuscaloosa in 1952 and started as a backup to star QBs, but his leadership and work ethic caught the eye of new head coach Bear Bryant.

He accumulated 1903 passing yards and 10 TD passes over his four-year career. 

Due to a crowded quarterback class and concerns about his arm strength, he slipped to the 17th round (200th overall) in the 1956 NFL Draft, picked by the Green Bay Packers.

Brodie Croyle left his mark on Crimson Tide football during his four-year tenure (2002-2005). He’s remembered in the Crimson Tide lore for his strong arm, accuracy, and leadership on the field.

Croyle steadily improved over his 4-year Alabama journey, throwing for over 6,382 yards and 41 TD passes in his career. His 2005 season saw him make 2499 passing yards and winning the Cotton Bowl against Texas Tech.

Despite injury concerns, Croyle’s talent shone through in the 2006 NFL Draft. He was selected in the 3rd round by the Kansas City Chiefs. Injuries hampered his NFL career, and he only got to play a total of 18 games.

As the QB for Alabama in the early 1990s, Jay Barker’s crowning achievement came during the 1992 season. Under Coach Gene Stallings, Barker steered Alabama to an entertaining 34-13 victory over the Miami Hurricanes in the 1993 Sugar Bowl, securing the national championship title.

During his four-year tenure, Barker made a 35-2-1 record (although the official record reflects 27-11). He threw for 5,689 yards and had 26 TD passes. He also became the SEC POY in 1994.

Barker’s NFL journey is unique in this list. In 1995, he was drafted by the Packers as the 5th rounder. However, he didn’t make the final roster.